Location/Region: Chimbarongo, CHL
Industry: Agriculture
Apps implemented: Sales, Purchase, Accounting, Expenses, Invoicing
Software
Replaced: Excel Spreadsheets
Company size: 10 full-time staff, 300 temporary
Hosting type: Migrating to Odoo.sh
In the heart of Chimbarongo, 150 km south of Santiago, Chile, Agrícola Koala found in Odoo the tool it needed to grow with order and efficiency. In an agricultural industry where traceability, on-time payments, and production quality are critical factors, this family business has managed to transform the way it runs its operations thanks to Odoo’s business suite.
Agrícola Koala is a farming company founded by the parents of the current partners, today managed by the second generation: nine siblings who continue the family legacy. What began as a dairy farm with traditional crops evolved into cherry and apple production, establishing itself as a local benchmark.
Currently, the company employs 10 full-time staff, and during harvest season, the team expands to as many as 300 temporary workers. Beyond the numbers, what sets Koala apart is its commitment to quality, the environment, and the community, always striving for a balance between agricultural excellence and social responsibility.
"Our goal is to produce a quality product while being friendly to the community and the environment.”
The Challenge of Disorder Before Odoo
Before implementing Odoo, the company relied mainly on Excel spreadsheets. This caused coordination problems, information loss, and a lack of traceability. Management was even more complicated because production took place in Chimbarongo, while accounting and banking operations were managed from Santiago.
Cloud files didn’t provide security: spreadsheets could be deleted, modifications weren’t tracked, and no reliable history existed. As a result, bank reconciliations, budgeting, purchase order management, and payments became a constant challenge. “Previously, we worked with Excel. The Excel would get deleted… now with Odoo we have no doubts, it works very well,” says Matías.
Odoo, the Tool That Made the Difference
The search for an ERP led Koala to discover Odoo around 2017, just before the pandemic. They first tried versions 13 and 14, then migrated to 15 and 16, always evaluating the improvements each update brought.
Since then, the team has mainly implemented the Expenses, Budgets, and Purchase modules, incorporating key features such as invoice analysis and bank reconciliation. Although transactions are currently recorded manually, they are already evaluating the integration of banking APIs to speed up processes. All of this has been done with internal talent, without relying on a local partner.
Odoo became the central management system, fully replacing Excel and allowing previously scattered processes to be organized and brought under control.
The impact has been immediate and measurable:
- Error reduction and a more agile team: Before, four people managed error-prone spreadsheets; today, only two or three handle invoice entry, review, and centralized accounting.
- Updated and reliable information: the company knows in real time which invoices are pending, which have been paid, and on what date. This prevents credit line blockages and ensures operational continuity.
- Data history and analysis: with Odoo, Koala has access to historical information on purchases, input prices, and cost trends. This allows them to calculate production cost per kilo accurately and project more realistic budgets.
- Better compliance and reputation: the system ensures payments are made on time, reducing reputational risks with suppliers and customers.
- Automation of key processes: Accounting, balance sheets, and tax payments are now easier and more transparent, with cross-checks that instantly detect errors.
"In short, what Odoo has allowed us to do is get organized: with our suppliers, with our customers. It’s a super powerful tool."
Planting Seeds
for the Future
The company looks ahead with ambitious plans. One of its main goals is to achieve full production traceability, recording in which sector and when each product was applied, and with what results. This information will allow them to clearly differentiate between conventional and organic production, as well as adjust prices, quality, and processes more precisely.
In addition, Koala plans to move toward certified organic production, which represents a strategic opportunity for new markets. They are also exploring the development of innovative products such as dehydrated cherries, opening new commercial avenues.
Another important step will be migrating to Odoo.sh in order to expand capabilities and benefit from an even more flexible and scalable ecosystem.
Though small in size, Agrícola Koala demonstrates that digitalization with Odoo can transform any industry. The company found in Odoo an affordable, flexible, and reliable solution to organize critical processes and lay the groundwork for more sustainable and innovative agriculture. If your business is seeking greater control, traceability, and efficiency, Koala’s case is proof that Odoo can help you take that transformative leap.
